admin‘Together’ – Granit Xhaka sends honest message to Sunderland fans after disappointing Fulham defeat
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka speaks to supporters after Fulham defeat and urges calm
Granit Xhaka was quick to address Sunderland fans following the disappointing defeat at Fulham, offering a composed and reassuring message after what was arguably the team’s least impressive performance since returning to the Premier League.
The captain posted his thoughts shortly after the final whistle, aiming to refocus both the squad and the supporters ahead of a crucial response next weekend.
Sunderland struggled throughout a rainy afternoon at Craven Cottage, with Fulham generating the clearer chances and eventually finding the breakthrough late in the game, when Raúl Jiménez converted Samuel Chukwueze’s low delivery.
Earlier in the match, Kevin saw a close-range header saved comfortably by Robin Roefs, while Sunderland’s best chance came almost immediately after the restart, when Enzo Le Fée curled an effort just wide.
The defeat leaves head coach Régis Le Bris demanding a stronger reaction after a display lacking the sharpness and control the side has shown recently.
Xhaka waited until after full-time to speak directly to supporters, using Instagram to share a brief but meaningful message about how the club should respond.
He wrote: “Defeats always hurt – now it’s about how we learn from it and move forward together.”
Following the match, Le Bris acknowledged Fulham’s quality:
“We played a very good team – they showed their attacking strength and ability to control the ball, like they did against Arsenal a few weeks ago.
We handled it only okay in the first half and didn’t do enough to change the momentum.
At half-time we tried to adjust and during the first part of the second half we felt we could change something, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.”
Sunderland did show improvement after the break, yet Fulham’s substitutions proved decisive. Emile Smith Rowe made an impact, and his fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze delivered the assist for the winning goal.
Le Bris admitted Sunderland fell below the standards set earlier in the season.
“Their subs brought extra energy and a different way of playing, and they maintained their threat with new players. They have depth, especially in attack. It reminds us of the basics — if you don’t win duels or second balls, you can’t impose yourself.
We struggled to create, and when they went long our pressing didn’t work. The intentions were good, but we didn’t manage the duels and ended up defending too deep, too often.
Basics are vital in football — if you don’t win at least half of those battles, you lose control.
It’s another important lesson. We have to be at our best, otherwise opponents will use their strengths against us.”
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